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10 Mar 07 - 09:31 AM (#1992480) Subject: Worden Arts Centre - Leyland From: GUEST,Graham Dixon LIVE AT WORDEN 2007 18 Concerts - The very best in LIVE MUSIC In association with SOUTH RIBBLE ARTS FORUM, TROUBLE at' MILL & GREGSON LANE FOLK CLUB The atmosphere of a Folk Club with the Ambience of a Theatre All Concerts start at 8:00 19th April - BERNARD WRIGLEY - £7:00 LINK An evening of songs stories and silliness with The Bolton Bullfrog. 3rd May - THE SWING COMMANDERS - £8:00 LINK Now established as Britain's top Western Swing band, The Swing Commanders recently not only won a rare standing ovation from the 1000-strong audience at the Lakeside for the British Country Music Awards but have also become firm favourites on the thriving jump jive scene with their unique blend of Country, Swing and Jazz. Led by the charismatic Peter O' Reilly, this quintet of highly specialist musicians guarantee over two hours of top quality entertainment for listeners and dancers alike, as they present in their unique, idiosyncratic style the best of music from the 1930s, 40s and 50s. With a string of sell-out gigs in clubs, theatres and festivals behind them, The Swing Commanders promise that for their concert debut at Worden Arts, the centre's foundations will really rock! 17th May - TROUBLE at' MILL - £5:00 LINK An evening of FOLK & FUN with TROUBLE at' MILL who, along with one or two funny stories, will be playing all your favourite Lancashire & Irish songs (be prepared to sing-along). All proceeds from tonight show will go to aid Mulanje Orphans 31st May - ANTHONY JOHN CLARKE - £6:00 LINK I've been along to see ANTHONY JOHN CLARKE play at several different venues – the common factor is that they were all packed to the rafters with aficionados every one of them there to enjoy that special something that only AJC and his band can deliver. 14th June - CHRIS & SIOBHAN NELSON - £5:00 LINK Chris and Siobhan Nelson have been performing music together for more than twenty years; they first got together when they were in 'rogue folk' band The Cluster of Nuts back in the 1980s, and they've been members of various other bands since that time. Now based in Southport, where they are residents at the Bothy Folk Club, they are carving out a reputation as a duo. Equally at home in an intimate acoustic setting or on the 'big stage', they have been getting excellent feedback everywhere they perform. Chris and Siobhan's repertoire is drawn from a wide range of sources, both traditional and contemporary; the songs are accompanied on fiddle, tenor guitar, octave mandola or viola, or sung a capella - and Chris often throws in a few fiddle tunes too! Chris and Siobhan have appeared at numerous festivals over the years, in their various guises: as a duo, and as members of Cluster of Nuts, New St George (the UK one), Nelsons Wake, Loose Screws Appalachian Dancers & String Band, and Kaleidoscope; Chris has also appeared with Midnight Flyers and the Merseybillies. They have run Workshops on Appalachian Clogging for (adult) beginners and Home Recording. The duo's latest album, Day Has Dawned, has been getting airplay on BBC 'local' radio and online radio stations, including Folkcast, and has been a featured album on theacousticstage.net. It recently received a 'thumbs up' review in fRoots magazine. There are sound clips on Chris and Siobhan's MySpace page, and there's further information about what they do, and have done in the past, on their main web page 28th June - Mr JEFFRIES £5:00 LINK He's an international man of mystery and one of music's greatest enigmas, but who IS "Mr Jeffries"? It depends what you believe… As just about every Tom, Dick or Harry clamours for 15 minutes of fame, his apparent indifference to the spotlight makes him all the more intriguing. Now you see him, now you don't… he's the spirit of rock'n'roll, the ghost of good times past, present and future…but once seen, never forgotten! Mr Jeffries appearances are the stuff of legend, but those who claim to have seen him all agree that his backing band is pretty special when it comes to giving you a rocking good time. Grant, Paul, Billy, John and Phil lay down the big beat. They're the backbone for Mr Jeffries shivers! Your favourite songs never sounded so good, so don't forget your dancing shoes! They're so good it's scary! 12th July - KIMBERS MEN + CELTA AMERICANA £6:00 LINK Kimber's Men were formed in the summer of 2001 and they comprise Neil Kimber who is the ship's bosun, John Bromley the ship's cook, Joe Stead the ship's doctor and David Buckley the ship's captain. Recent festival appearances include Jersey, Scarborough, Cardiff, Hull, Maryport, Guernsey, Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury, Crawley, Priddy and The Festival of the Sea in Portsmouth where they were an outstanding success. This year they are appearing at Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Alcester Folk Festival, Broadstairs Folk Festival, Swanage Folk Festival and Sixmilebridge Folk Festival in County Clare - Ireland. Meanwhile negotiations are underway for a 7 day tour of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile in the autumn. 26th July - An Evening with the Residents & Regulars from GREGSON LANE FOLK CLUB - £2:00 LINK Gregson Lane Folk Club has been providing live acoustic music in Hoghton since 1988. The format has been a mixture of Singers Nights and Guest Nights All types of music are appreciated and performers are encouraged irrespective of level of ability. Tonight we present a selection of our regulars to perform for you. 9th August - An Evening with the Residents & Regulars from GARSTANG UNPLUGGED - £2:00 LINK Garstang Unplugged host a singers' night at the Kenlis Arms, Barnacre, Garstang, on the last Wednesday of each month, with occasional guest nights held separately on Thursdays. They have a vibrant and varied group of regular performers ranging in age from early teens to far old enough to know better. Styles are varied, the only rule being that backing tapes are not allowed. A typical night will include a wide range of styles from solo performers to groups, from traditional songs, through jazz, country and blues, to brand new songs, both original and from current popular writers. 23rd August - SILVER DOGS £5:00 LINK Silver Dogs are a 6 piece modern folk rock band based in and around lancashire, fronted by Becky Haslam daughter of folk legend Ray Haslam and featuring Mark "Mad Fiddler" Knight on violin. The band are a favourite of Simon Jones of Folk Roots magazine who described the band when they performed at last years Biddulph festival as a breath of fresh air to the folk scene. Silver Dogs perform a mix of self penned and fresh arrangements to contemporary folk songs and are a must for musicians and music lovers alike. 6th September - ALTERNATIVE THERAPY - £5:00 LINK Sam Bracken: A Belfast boy, of these shores since 1969, now resident in Kendal, Cumbria. Superb laid back lead and harmony vocals, guitar virtuoso playing a wide range of superb hand made guitars by Roger Bucknell of Fylde Guitars. Late of Therapy, Five Hand Reel and of no mean reputation as a solo performer, raconteur and wit. Elaine Bracken: Born in Darlington, moved to Prescot, Merseyside at two months old, since 1981 abiding in Cumbria. Lead and harmony vocals of quality, passion & power with great personality and smile. Flautist extraordinaire playing a Rudall Rose flute. Ex 'Seoda Ceoil' member along with luminaries Shay Black, Mick Johnson & Martin Dunn. Dave Shannon: Another obscenely talented Belfast boy. Came over on the same boat as his friend Sam in 1969. Now resides in Sale, Cheshire. Lead & harmony vocalist of immense talent, class and subtlety. Fantastic guitarist, plays an original classic Epiphone 'Texan' and 'Fylde' Guitars. Great dry wit. Ex BBC Producer for 20 years – Just Retired. Ex of the very popular 70's & 80's trio 'Therapy', along with Fiona Simpson and Sam Bracken. A very nice man with all his own hair & teeth. 20th September - SCOLDS BRIDLE - £5:00 LINK Synonymous with quality, Scold's Bridle is established as one of the leading female duos in the country. The relaxed manner of their delivery conjures intimacy and belies the care and preparation that goes into each performance, where each set is crafted to match the audience. Exquisite harmonies are interwoven with sensitive interpretation to produce a spectrum of songs ranging from the poignant to the wistful, from ballad to rousing chorus. With stagecraft well developed and with warmth and open friendliness, interchanges and asides allow the audience to be a part of a perfectly timed and polished performance. Style, confidence and mellow maturity exude as these two introduce their material and once launched, their own enjoyment of the songs captures, enraptures and enthuses all. 4th October - BRIAN PRESTON & PHIL WIGNALL + DRIFTW00D- £7:00 (£5:00 Students) LINK Brian and Phil last appeared at Worden Arts Centre in June 2006. That was very early days in their duo partnership as they only got together in March of that year. Now some eighteen months down the road they are established as one of the busiest and most popular duos on the live/folk music scene. Preston & Wignall play a mixture of traditional and modern folk/acoustic music. With fifty years in the business between them both as solo artistes and with various groundbreaking groups, they have made ten albums, eight cassettes, one single and played in all manor of live venues in twenty-four countries. Brian from Preston, Lancashire, was there at the start of the folk revival; he is still there as the wheel turns. He has a powerful; rich instantly recognisable voice an immense repertoire and a devilish, informative lop-sided sense of humour. He is quite rightly regarded as one of the leading folk entertainers in Europe. Phil from Blackrod, Bolton, Lancashire, is a powerful, dynamic multi-instrumentalist with wonderful lead and harmony vocals and a great personality. The 4th October 2007 will be a special night at Worden Arts Centre as the support for the evening will be a fantastic young duo 'Driftwood'. The duo features 'The Two Matthews'. Brian Preston's son Matthew Dewhurst who will celebrate his 18th birthday on the night and Brian's 'adopted' son Matthew Baxendale, both students at Runshaw College, Leyland. 18th October - POYZER & FRIENDS - £5:00 LINK As seen opening the show for artistes such as Hawkwind, Wishbone Ash, Hayseed Dixie, Bic Runga, Ozric Tentacles, Michelle Shocked, and The Zombies, Darren Poyzer teams up with Kevin Farrell on 2nd acoustic and e-bow for one of those very special evenings full of magical songs, unforgettable passionate lyrics and string driven rhythm. Special guests 'friends' and an accomplished solo set from Mr Farrell promise to make this a truly enchanting night to remember. "Where Darren Poyzer appears, unusual things happen and people enjoy themselves ... natural acoustic sound with trademark warmth, firmness and tenderness from his guitar and seemingly effortless projection of the distinctive voice that shares those same qualities ... Darren Poyzer had once again produced an evening that mattered" - Leeds Music Scene "Darren's songs are heartfelt with poignant lyrics, and a beautiful sensitive touch. We really enjoy it when he appears on the same stage as us." - Andy Powell, Wishbone Ash "A masterclass in live performance" - Tina Redford, MusicLeader "Great, fantastic, brilliant, mind blowing and inspiring" - Manchester Is Music 1st November - DAVE WALMISLEY - £5:00 LINK Dave Walmisley has for many years been associated with the folk music scene as a songwriter and performer, but always as a member of a duo or trio. Line-ups in the past have included, The Stoneground Band, Plan 'B' and most recently and more notably, Risky Business. He now presents himself and his music as it was originally conceived, simply himself and a guitar. Some of his more memorable songs, Harbour in the Storm, To Face it All, Rosemary¹s Garden and The Raven are a few of the more well known songs loved by audiences at festivals and clubs throughout the country. Now and then hints of his African roots appear in his performances and inevitably relay their rhythmic messages to your foot. Audiences are sometimes invited to accompany him on percussion, which involves anything to hand at the time, beer glasses, car keys and other much more bizarre paraphernalia that people seem to have with them at the time. This has created some interesting and hilarious results. He's a songwriter with the ability to conjure images of place and time and of sentiments experienced by all and he covers many subjects from family to love, relationships, people and experiences and even trees !? The easy going approach, excellent guitar work and simple way he presents and performs his music is typical of the artist and creates a memorable and enjoyable encounter. Good songs well played. Don't miss him. 15th November - JON BRINDLEY - £5:00 LINK Jon Brindley is the sort of performer who could really change your perception of how things can be done! He has a rare natural gift for interpreting a song, his guitar playing is mighty exciting and accomplished while his own songs are poignantly beautiful. The creativity, humour, liveliness and versatility in Jon's performances show that he's dedicated to sharing his talent with you. 29th November - FULL HOUSE £5:00 LINK From the sweep of the Cheshire plains comesa band that will have you calling for more. Dazzling mandolins, pulsating melodeons, breathtaking whistles and subtle strings combine to bring you traditional tunes and songs with a contemporary feel. The latest album "Brand New Start" brings together the best of this bands original materialand celebrates this current line up. Come and join Full House for an evening notto be missed. 13th December - TROUBLE at' MILL £5:00LINK TROUBLE at' MILL are a popular folk trio who hail from the village of Gregson Lane which lies between Preston & Blackburn. The trio consists of husband and wife team - Graham & Bernadette Dixon plus bass player - Denis Wane. (Now with John Cruickshank on guitar) The fact that Graham & Bernadette have, for the past 17 years, been organisers of the very popular GREGSON LANE FOLK CLUB is testament to their dedication & enthusiasm in both performing and promoting folk music. The trio are very busy and always have a full diary with gigs in theatres, village halls, pubs, clubs and even shopping centres. These activities quite often involve giving 'Joe Public' his first taste of live Folk Music and consequently explaining about the delights of going to a Folk Club to see more of the same. Unashamedly concentrating on the 'popular' folk songs, TROUBLE at' MILL always place the emphasis on entertainment and make a point of not taking themselves too seriously. Their goal is to send the audience home with both, a smile on its face and an urge to seek out more live folk music. There will be an interval raffle during each of the shows with the proceeds going to SING FOR SOMEONE ELSES SUPPER DIRECTIONS Worden Park Leyland Lancashire PR25 1DJ < From North or South along the M6 ......Coming down from the North or up from the South, get off at Jn.28 ......Turn left towards Leyland ......Take second left on Bent Lane ......At mini-roundabout, turn right and then left at next mini-roundabout ......Follow road for 3/4 mile until the end ......You'll see the entrance to Worden Park right opposite ......Follow signs to Worden Arts Centre car parking If you get lost, Leyland has plenty of brown signs directing you to The Worden Arts Centre which sits in the middle of Worden Park DIRECTIONS Courtesy of MR KITE |